What is it about domesticity that scares so many of us? The question is front and center once again in “The Evil Next Door.” While the film lures viewers with a promise of familial discomfort, the actual surprises come from something far more disturbing. This time, the creative team of Oskar Mellender and Tord Danielsson build upon the usual themes associated with introducing a new member to an already established family. In much the same context they’re also establishing the stark realities of the unknown through a nearby dwelling.
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The film’s creators are adamant about its origins. Director Danielsson spoke about one element that stoked their curiosity.
“A couple of years ago we came in contact with a family who claimed to have experienced something very scary and paranormal in 2014. According to them, some kind of entity had tried to take their child. This all started with them moving into a new home. And it all ended when they decided to move out,” Danielsson said of the backstory. “The mother of the family was first accused by the husband for being responsible for the injuries on the child. But when the husband himself experienced events that couldn’t be explained he also came to believe that ”something” was haunting the family. The family wishes to remain anonymous.”
The project debuted in Sweden last year. After that, it hit several international markets — even showing at Norway’s Tromsø International Film Festival. ‘Evil’ also boasts a Guldbagge win and several nominations, a prominent achievement among the Swedish film community.
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
New to her stepmom role Shirin moves into a duplex with her partner, Fredrik, and his son, Lucas. The new home feels like the right place to start becoming a family. But when Fredrik leaves for work, strange things are heard from the other, uninhabited side. Also, who is Lucas’ new friend?
Dilan Gwyn and Eddie Eriksson Dominguez star in “The Evil Next Door.” It hits theaters and on-demand on June 25. Get your first look at the trailer below.
